Ranji Mangcu
After almost a decade of showcasing at Joburg Fashion Week, Johannesburg-based designer Sello Medupe is perhaps underselling himself by not adding the title “architect” to his résumé.
Through his label, SCALO, this designer has built a signature out of architectural silhouettes, indulgent colour and generous, yet tasteful, embellishment. His runway shows are characterised by drama – in the architectural, hourglass silhouettes, artful draping and in their theatricality.
Even as trends change, economies fluctuate and the tides of fashion go back and forth, Scalo is steadfast in its refusal to be bland. There was a palpable sense of fun in Scalo’s Joburg Fashion Week 2023 collection, that demonstrated exactly this (and resonated deeply with my inner child).
Founded in 2009, this label defines itself as a “modern, sophisticated African brand that aims to revolutionise structure”. Returning to Joburg Fashion Week with their distinct brand of high-octane yet functional luxury, Johannesburg-based label SCALO very aptly produced the Spring/Summer 2023 colelection as a celebration of nature in all of its beauty and abundance – in founder Sello Medupe’s words:
“The growth of flowers, the beautiful skies and the texture of water.”
Even with many years of showcasing at Joburg Fashion Week, Sello Medupe maintains a penchant for keeping things interesting. Often, this kind of dedication to drama can translate to tackiness.
However, Medupe is so skilful, so proficient, at ensuring that Scalo rarely shies away from drama and embellishment, that he never misses.
Medupe brought to the runway a bouquet of deep, lustrous pinks and purple and blue washes; innovative corsetry, experimental cuts, and elaborate beading in a set of Barbie-Pink 2-piece suits.